Resources

Safe Routes to School Program to be Implemented in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Transportation recently hired Angela Olson of Pierre as their Safe Routes to School Coordinator (SRTS). The South Dakota SRTS program is in the beginning stages of development with the goal of implementing a pilot program by Jan/Feb. of next year.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a nationwide program that creates safe, convenient and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from their schools. The program seeks to increase the number of children walking and bicycling to schools and to improve traffic safety and mobility.

SRTS also aims to play a critical role in helping children be more active on a daily basis, in an effort to reverse the alarming nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity. Over the past 30 years, the percent of overweight children aged 6 to 11 years has more than doubled. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Overweight and obese adults are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and gall bladder disease. Regular physical activity for children helps to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints; helps control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat; improves sense of self-image and autonomy; and fosters healthy social and emotional development. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Many children could achieve or even surpass the recommendation simply by walking, biking or using other active ways to travel to and from school.

To learn more about the SRTS pilot program in South Dakota, contact Angela Olson at angela.olson@state.sd.us or 605-773-2402.

For more information about the SRTS program, go to www.saferoutesinfo.org.

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SD Schools Walk Healthy Habits Calendar Pages

Even if you can't walk to school everyday, you can still do activities to help raise your heart rate and increase your level of physical fitness. The Schools Walk Health Habits Calendar pages are full of tips and ideas for implementing physical activity into everyday lifestyles.

Teachers may download and copy the calendar pages for the students by going to:
http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/sdwalks/calendar/schoolyear.pdf

Tips and Ideas for implementing the Schools Walk Healthy Habits Calendars:

• Teachers may lead the activities at some point during the school day or encourage their students to do the activities at home.

• Have the parents sign the calendar at the end of the month and return it via the child. Place the child's name on the gym wall for completing the month's activities.

• Provide stickers (stars, smiley faces, etc.) for children to put on each day they complete an activity.

• Print blank calendars for the summer months June through August for your students. Tell the students to create their own fitness calendar by including activities they like to do such as riding bike, playing volleyball, or swimming.

• Encourage students to answer the question in the box and personalize their calendars by drawing and coloring it.

• Post each month’s calendar in the classroom on a bulletin board designated for wellness. Provide updated wellness information from newspapers, internet, books, etc. that students will find interesting.

• Allow students to share their successes with the class.

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